Remote vehicle starting system providing an audible indication relating to remote starting and associated methods

Abstract

A remote starting system for an engine of a vehicle includes a remote start handheld unit. A remote start controller may be positioned at the vehicle for starting the engine based upon the remote start handheld unit and causing the engine to run for a run time period before shutting off the vehicle engine. The remote start controller is resettable based upon the remote start handheld unit to cause the engine to run for an additional run time period while the engine is still running and before shutting off the engine. The remote start handheld unit includes an audible indicator for providing an audible indication to a user prior to expiration of the run time period to permit a user to use the remote start handheld unit to reset the run time period while the engine is still running and before shutting off the engine.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to the field of remote vehicle control, and, more particularly, to a remote vehicle control system such as to start an engine and related methods.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The passenger compartment of a vehicle parked outside during a cold day may become very cold, with temperatures reaching that of the ambient air outside the vehicle. Likewise, the passenger compartment of a vehicle parked outside during a hot day may become very hot, very quickly, with temperatures that greatly exceed that of the ambient air outside the vehicle.[0003]Some drivers start a vehicle, activate the vehicle's climate control system, then leave the vehicle until the climate control system begins to heat or cool the vehicle. However, this requires the driver to leave the comfort of the indoors, momentarily enter the vehicle, start the engine and operate the climate control system, and leave the vehicle unattended with the engine running.[0004...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]This remote starting system provides additional convenience and addresses various drawbacks of the prior art. Having to restart the engine when the user desires the engine to run for another run time period, as per the prior art, may not be desirable for a variety of reasons. A significant percentage of engine wear occurs at startup, and this remote starting system helps reduce engine wear due to unnecessary starting and restarting. Moreover, the remote starting system may help to reduce the amount of pollutants produced by the engine since it will not be started, stopped, then restarted unnecessarily.

[0011]During this starting, stopping, and restarting of the engine as per the prior art, a vehicle's climate control system may immediately cease to function when the engine is shut off, thereby allowing the passenger compartment of the vehicle to heat up or cool down contrary to the user's desire. The remote starting system described herein eliminates this drawback as well.

Problems solved by technology

Having to restart the engine when the user desires the engine to run for another run time period, as per the prior art, may not be desirable for a variety of reasons.

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